Anyone recognise this World Radio "Playmate"? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Tom_I · 31st Dec 2007, 3:38 pm

I've just come across this snippet about new-fangled transistor radios in the Daily Express Motor Show Review of 1963.

The radio in the picture is called "the Playmate, a set made by World Radio". This maker is not mentioned in Radio! Radio!, though I found it mentioned on a website in connection with car radios.

Does anyone recognise the set? Could it have been sold under another name?

Tom

Darren-UK · 31st Dec 2007, 4:34 pm

The only company I'm aware of using the name "World Radio" was one based in Iowa, USA but as far as I know they were mainly concerned with amateur radio equipment.

The text accompanying the illustration contains comments which suggest far-eastern (Japanese?) origin....the bit about 'Feminine attachments', for example.

I've just trawled the internet for various dedicated transistor radio sites, of which there's several, but can't find anything. It'll be interesting to see if any further info turns up from other members.

Tom_I · 31st Dec 2007, 5:04 pm

The only thing I have come up with is this page, fourth picture down. The caption says:

Quote:

This is a vintage 1950s UK Radio made by World Radio Limited London. When you turn the radio on, it says "Playmate" in the middle of the dial. Apparently World Radio Ltd had many models of these, such as radios that said Jaguar and Aston Martin in the center of the dial. This is similar to the Radiomobile radios of this vintage and is 12V positive ground. This is an AM only radio, made for the US market with dial numbers reading left to right. The radio is shown in an under dash mount but can easily be removed to mount into the dash of the car.

Steve_P · 31st Dec 2007, 8:09 pm

Could it be a British Version of this....

http://radioinsoffitta.it/html/radio...Philips_16.htm

Cheers,

Steve P.

Tom_I · 31st Dec 2007, 8:24 pm

I don't think so. There appear to be three pushbuttons above the large circular dial, and there's no thumbwheel control on the front at the bottom (there's one on the right hand side towards the top). It looks vaguely familiar, but I just can't place it.

Steve_P · 31st Dec 2007, 8:32 pm

Yes, it's annoying isn't it. Sure I fixed one a few years back.

Cheers,

Steve P.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 31st Dec 2007, 9:01 pm

Tom I - You are correct in that 'World Radio' was a UK Brand, associated with S. Smith & Sons(Radiomobile)Ltd. I don't recognise the set in your picture, but, over the years several different types were produced, the later ones being marketed under the 'Courier' brand name.

Brian R Pateman · 31st Dec 2007, 11:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'LIVEWIRE?'

Tom I - You are correct in that 'World Radio' was a UK Brand, associated with S. Smith & Sons(Radiomobile)Ltd.

And Radiomobile was associated with HMV (S.Smith was a subsidiary company).

The set in the picture reminds me strongly of one of the HMV / Ultra portables of the right era, but I can't put my hand on a picture!

Regards,

Tonypam · 2nd Jan 2008, 8:40 am

World Radio were a London company who made and marketed Motorola car radios.They did team up with Radiomobile/Smiths/HMV for a short period of time in the 60's i believe. As for the set in question,I have'nt seen one personally, but i am sure I saw one for sale a few years ago.I guess they used the same format as Ever Ready and Philips portable sets did back then by utilising a bracket which was fixed to the fascia of your car and the portable set simply slotted in....sadly the idea never really took off.

Tom_I · 2nd Jan 2008, 10:43 pm

The whole idea of removable car portables was to circumvent the requirement to buy a separate radio licence for a set which was a fixture in a car.

The "radio only" licence was abolished in the UK in 1971, and as transistorised car radios became much more affordable, the car/portable types soon disappeared.

31st Dec 2007, 3:38 pm	#1
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Anyone recognise this World Radio "Playmate"? I've just come across this snippet about new-fangled transistor radios in the Daily Express Motor Show Review of 1963. The radio in the picture is called "the Playmate, a set made by World Radio". This maker is not mentioned in Radio! Radio!, though I found it mentioned on a website in connection with car radios. Does anyone recognise the set? Could it have been sold under another name? Tom Attached Thumbnails

31st Dec 2007, 4:34 pm	#2
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Anyone recognise this World Radio "Playmate"? The only company I'm aware of using the name "World Radio" was one based in Iowa, USA but as far as I know they were mainly concerned with amateur radio equipment. The text accompanying the illustration contains comments which suggest far-eastern (Japanese?) origin....the bit about 'Feminine attachments', for example. I've just trawled the internet for various dedicated transistor radio sites, of which there's several, but can't find anything. It'll be interesting to see if any further info turns up from other members.

31st Dec 2007, 8:09 pm	#4
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Anyone recognise this World Radio "Playmate"? Could it be a British Version of this.... http://radioinsoffitta.it/html/radio...Philips_16.htm Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

31st Dec 2007, 8:24 pm	#5
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Re: Anyone recognise this World Radio "Playmate"? I don't think so. There appear to be three pushbuttons above the large circular dial, and there's no thumbwheel control on the front at the bottom (there's one on the right hand side towards the top). It looks vaguely familiar, but I just can't place it.

31st Dec 2007, 8:32 pm	#6
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Anyone recognise this World Radio "Playmate"? Yes, it's annoying isn't it. Sure I fixed one a few years back. Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

31st Dec 2007, 9:01 pm	#7
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Anyone recognise this World Radio "Playmate"? Tom I - You are correct in that 'World Radio' was a UK Brand, associated with S. Smith & Sons(Radiomobile)Ltd. I don't recognise the set in your picture, but, over the years several different types were produced, the later ones being marketed under the 'Courier' brand name.

2nd Jan 2008, 8:40 am	#9
Tonypam Triode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hull, Yorkshire and the Humber, UK. Posts: 39	Re: Anyone recognise this World Radio "Playmate"? World Radio were a London company who made and marketed Motorola car radios.They did team up with Radiomobile/Smiths/HMV for a short period of time in the 60's i believe. As for the set in question,I have'nt seen one personally, but i am sure I saw one for sale a few years ago.I guess they used the same format as Ever Ready and Philips portable sets did back then by utilising a bracket which was fixed to the fascia of your car and the portable set simply slotted in....sadly the idea never really took off.

2nd Jan 2008, 10:43 pm	#10
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Re: Anyone recognise this World Radio "Playmate"? The whole idea of removable car portables was to circumvent the requirement to buy a separate radio licence for a set which was a fixture in a car. The "radio only" licence was abolished in the UK in 1971, and as transistorised car radios became much more affordable, the car/portable types soon disappeared.